How to make your LinkedIn profile stand out in 2025

Post on February 13, 2025

Love it or loathe it, you have to be on LinkedIn. With 1 billion members in over 200 countries and an active community of recruiters, there is no better place to be for professionals. But let's be honest: standing out can feel overwhelming with millions competing for attention. Don't worry – your work bestie (that's us!) is here to help you turn your LinkedIn profile into a magnet for opportunities.

1. Design your LinkedIn with your unique goal in mind. 

Take a moment to reflect on your ultimate goal. Instead of sending scattered connection requests (which can drain you), focus on showing up consistently in a way that aligns with your objectives. Planning to relocate? Start by reaching out to professionals in your target city. Engage with their posts, ask thoughtful questions and build genuine connections to understand the local industry landscape. If you're still figuring out which area of tech excites you most, connect with people across different industries and niches. Ask about their career paths and take note of what sparks your curiosity.

2. Nail your LinkedIn hotspots (banner and headline).

To start, your profile needs three key elements: a clear, professional photo; an eye-catching banner; and a compelling headline. Use a high-quality headshot with good lighting and a simple background. Or, if you want to go the extra mile, consider hiring a photographer for headshots. 

But don’t stop at your profile picture – your headline is the first thing people see after your name, so make it count. Don’t just your job title – instead, showcase the value you bring. If you're a freelancer, incorporate keywords that reflect your services, such as “Freelance Copywriter | Turning Words into Conversions for Startups.” This small tweak makes it immediately clear who you are, what you do, and the impact you create. Then, use your banner to reinforce your brand. Public speakers can showcase themselves on stage, while freelancers might feature a powerful tagline and website on their cover.

3. Lead with a strong hook.

Your “About” section is where your personality and purpose come to life. Instead of just listing your credentials, tell a story. Hook readers with a strong opening like, “I’m on a mission to help startups scale through smart design and creative storytelling.” Then, structure your summary in a way that flows naturally – introduce yourself, explain the problems you solve, highlight what makes your approach unique and wrap up with a clear call-to-action, like inviting people to connect. Hot tip: Since most people skim profiles, keep paragraphs short and easy to read.

4. Keep keywords in mind for SEO.

Don’t forget that LinkedIn is a search engine too! Sprinkling relevant keywords in your headline, summary, and experience sections helps improve your visibility. Freelancers might use terms like “branding consultant” or “UX designer,” while founders might highlight phrases like “startup founder” or “business strategy.” 

5. Show impact, not just tasks. 

In your experience section, focus on results. Instead of, “Managed social media accounts,” write, “Grew client’s Instagram following by 50% in six months through targeted content strategy.” If you’re a freelancer, highlight specific industries or client projects you’ve worked on. If you're a founder, showcase milestones like launching a product, building a team or scaling your business. Numbers, results and achievements help bring your experience to life.

6. Collect meaningful testimonials.

Recommendations from past clients, colleagues, or collaborators can be a game-changer, acting as powerful social proof that you deliver results. When asking for recommendations, reach out personally with a clear request, making it easy for them to respond. Be specific – ask them to highlight how you worked together on a particular project and the impact you made. And don’t forget to offer to return the favour if it feels right. A simple message like this can do the trick:

"Hey [Name], I really enjoyed working with you on [Project Name], and I’d love to feature a short testimonial from you on my website/LinkedIn. If you’re open to it, could you share a few lines about our collaboration, especially how we tackled [specific challenge] and the results we achieved? No pressure at all, and I’d be happy to return the favour if you ever need a recommendation. Thanks so much!"

7. Show off your best portfolio of work.

The “Featured” section is your opportunity to showcase your best work. Upload samples of past projects, link to articles you’ve written or share press mentions. For freelancers, this could mean portfolio pieces like graphic designs, case studies, or blog posts. For founders, you might link to your website or media interviews. Keep this section fresh by rotating new content regularly.

8. Network strategically.

Focus on building a network that aligns with your goals. If the idea of networking daunts you, start small. Connect with former colleagues, classmates, or people you’ve met at events. And if you’re reaching out to someone new, send personalised messages explaining why you want to connect. Pro tip: Engage regularly by commenting on posts, sharing content or sending congrats on their milestones. 

9. Lastly, in the age of ChatGPT, come across as human.

While keywords matter, avoid sounding robotic. While strategically placing important terms throughout your profile can boost your visibility in searches, focusing only on keywords can make your CV sound robotic. According to experts, hiring managers want to see the real person behind the words. Instead of just stating that you’ve managed a team, provide details – how large was the team? What challenges did you overcome? Let your personality shine through.

With your LinkedIn profile ready to impress, take it a step further by working from a space that matches your ambition – book a coworking spot with workbuddy today! Get on our free week trial to explore workbuddy spaces.